Brian Donohoe was one of only 13 Labour MPs to vote AGAINST the gay marriage bill on Tuesday.

And Mr Donohoe said no amount of debate or argument would persuade him to change his mind and vote for the Marriage Bill.

“I have been open about my views with my constituents on the months running up to the debate,” said the MP for Central Ayrshire.

“I firmly believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman and that’s that.

“No amount of debate or persuasion would convince me to change my mind and that is why I voted against the Bill.

“Given the time frame of the debate, the people who spoke only had time for a few minutes, nothing changed my mind.”

His colleague Katy Clark, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, voted FOR the Bill to go ahead.

Following the seven-hour debate at The House of Commons , MPs voted in favour of the Marriage Bill, by 400 to 175, a majority of 225.

Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network charity, described the decision as a “huge step forward for equality.”

He said: “After centuries of facing prejudice and discrimination, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender people can finally look forward to a day when they are no longer treated as second-class citizens.

“Today MPs have taken a stand for what is right, by overwhelmingly backing this fair and progressive law.

“In Scotland, two-thirds of people support same-sex marriage, and we look forward to a similar resounding vote in the Scottish Parliament.”

The Scottish Government is currently running a public consultation on the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Scotland.

The consultation closes on Wednesday, March 20 and a final version of the bill is expected to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament this year.